I became fascinated with air travel at an early age, when I discovered I could leave freezing cold, dreary Connecticut behind in January, and two hours later, be in hot and sunny Florida. I think we’re all pretty fortunate to be living in this modern age, where we have the ability to jump on a plane and escape unattractive weather conditions. We can travel halfway around the world for relatively little money and in reasonable comfort. However, the more I travel, the more it seems that passengers are becoming increasingly selfish or oblivious to their actions on planes and how they impact the people around them. RELATED: The One Thing Some Women Do on Airplanes That Drives Me Nuts … And I Can’t Believe It’s Not Illegal
By being more considerate passengers, we can all make travel that much more enjoyable for everyone. Below are 10 terrible, horrible, no good, very bad airplane habits that I commonly see, along with my thoughts on how to be a better passenger:
1. Talking loudly on your phone or to seatmates
It astounds me when I hear people speaking so loudly on their phone or to a seatmate that I can hear them five rows back. It’s rude and careless—especially if it’s about sensitive business. You have no idea who’s listening and in this day and age of social media, you have to assume everyone is indeed listening. So speak softly no matter whether it’s a sensitive subject or not. Rest assured: Your loud voice is annoying everyone around you.
2. Not taking care of your personal hygiene
As a common courtesy, you should at least walk onto the plane clean and not reeking of BO. One of my worst flights involved a couple that smelled so bad, the passengers in the two rows around them literally had to plug their noses for the flight. Later, the flight attendants actually encouraged the offended passengers to write to Delta to complain and get a gift certificate. A close second in terms of hygiene-related offenses is when you see people clipping their nails, tweezing their eyebrows or putting nail polish on. It’s just rude and inconsiderate to put on nail polish on an airplane. Plus, it’s highly flammable (I wrote more on that topic here). If you ever see someone putting it on, either tell them to stop or ring the call button and ask the flight attendant if they smell nail polish. And don’t get me started on the person across the aisle who I saw flossing his teeth.
3. Bringing smelly food onboard
A McDonald’s cheeseburger may smell pretty good when it’s right out of the kitchen, but it doesn’t smell the same way once you’re airborne. The worst is tuna fish. Think twice about what kind of food you bring on your flight and be considerate of the people around you.
4. Taking your socks off
I can understand passengers wanting to take their shoes off after takeoff (don’t do it before, as it’s a safety hazard) but if you do, make sure your feet don’t smell. And regardless of whether they smell or not, don’t take your socks off so everyone can see your toes. This isn’t your living room. And bad airplane habits aside: Don’t ever walk into a lavatory with bare feet or socks that you plan on wearing again. An airplane bathroom floor is a breeding ground for germs and is just plain disgusting.
5. Playing music or videos too loud
You’d think that people would know that’s it’s not okay to play music or videos without earbuds/headphones on. But sadly, many don’t. The only thing worse is when passengers have earbuds/headphones on but they’re playing their music/video so loud that others can hear the noise. Not only is it bad for your ears, but it’s also rude. TIP: Bring earplugs and earbuds for yourself so you can put them on if a noisy seatmate won’t turn their volume down.
6. Sneezing/coughing without covering your mouth
My name is Johnny Jet and I’m a germaphobe. There. I said it. And I hate when passengers are coughing and/or sneezing without covering their mouths. Surely the pandemic has taught us not to do this, not when you’re outside in the fresh air, let alone in a metal tube, 30,000 feet in the air—especially with so many viruses out there, from colds and flus to Covid and RSV. I carry two masks when I fly: one for me and one to give to a rude or sick passenger who might need it.
7. Being rude or impatient with flight attendants and crew
I used to date a flight attendant so I know how difficult their jobs are … and this was before all the cutbacks. There’s no excuse as a passenger to be rude to a flight attendant unless the flight attendant is being rude to you. It’s not their problem that you didn’t notice that you don’t have seats together or that the entertainment system is down—although if you’re nice, they’ll do their best to help you. They’re just doing their job, and it’s not an easy one. I almost always bring flight attendants chocolates and greet them with a big smile. If there’s a problem during the flight, I know they’ll take good care of me—with or without the tokens of appreciation. Their job is to help and most will do it with a smile if you’re friendly.
8. Pushing, pulling or kicking other people’s seats
Unless you’re really old or handicapped, there’s no reason to push, pull or kick people’s seats when you’re getting up or walking down the aisles. Somehow, this happens all the time because people aren’t being considerate of those around them. Don’t be that person.
9. Ignoring your out-of-control kids
Usually, I find that kids are well-behaved and it’s the parents who aren’t. But once in a while you’ll see that out-of-control kid just running up and down the aisle screaming or playing their video games without headphones and the parents couldn’t care less. We all know that wrangling kids can be a challenge, but as a parent, just do your best to control the situation. That’s all anyone can ask. Ignoring it is what will irk everyone around you.
10. Pretending your dog is a service animal
I’ve been seeing an increase in travelers with dogs recently, and most of them have their companions wearing service dog harness vests. Unfortunately, I think many of these dogs aren’t really service dogs, as I know a number of people who say they’ve bought these vests so their animals fly for free, which is really pathetic in my opinion. I’m sure the industry is going to crack down on this sooner or later, which is only going to make it more difficult for those who really need a service dog and that’s a real shame.
What bad airplane habits irk you most?
I can think of many more bad airplane habits but first, I’d like to hear what you think should be on this list. Leave a comment and share your thoughts!
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Worst experience — was on a flight with daughter age 9. I saw up ahead some “commotion” going on
with two people in a seat where I had a fine view. They were naked — I kid you not — under a blanket and going full force. I told my daughter when I came back from telling them what they were doing was WAY OUT OF LINE. She was 9 and quite precocious – – when I said they were carrying on under a blanket doing something people should do in private she very casually said: “OH! AN ORGY!” True story.
Passengers in the bulk head seat removing their shoes and then putting their stinky feet on the wall in front of them. I have photos of several offenders.
I was on a flight from San Diego to NYC and I ended up in the middle seat. The man and the woman on either side of me did not know each other but proceeded to strike up a conversation. I offered to switch seats with one of them but they declined. As the flight continued and they started flirting, I offered again-no takers. There were no extra seats on the flight. By the time we landed they had made a date to meet up and who knows, maybe they ended up as a couple but for me it was the most uncomfortable flight I have ever been on.
That’s ridiculous.
Drunk passengers. The smell of alcohol is really unappealing to some people. Not sure if people realise this
Agreed. I also had a guy a few weeks ago chewing tobacco and spitting it in his soda bottle. Smelled so bad
When a man (women don not do this) puts his foot in my leg room space. He crosses his foot over the metal frame on the floor that defines leg room in front of each seat.
Haven’t had that but have had people in the bulkhead try to use the space under their seat since they didn’t have one.
That’s because you are a man. Men don’t challenge other men for space, it might cause an altercation, but a lot of men think it’s okay to infringe on a women’s space because they are men and think they have the right. It’s very irritating. I’m 5’10” and have very long legs. I need every available inch of leg room, and no, I am not overweight. I have received some incredibly rude, offensive, and degrading remarks from men (with the most offensive/vulgar ones usually mumbled under their breath) just for politely asking to use my allotted space. The worst time was when I got into an argument with a guy because “other women don’t complain” and when I tried to explain I wasn’t complaining, I was just requesting my allotted space, I was called the C word and “reported” to the cabin crew. It was ridiculous. He actually told the flight attendant that he expected me to sit almost sideways with my knees against the wall. It was a very full flight and there were very few open seats but they managed to move me (no one nearby wanted to switch seats with me). It was probably very petty of me but when we were disembarking I stayed in my seat and waited for him to pass by to made a point of thanking him for complaining about me…from my nice comfy seat in first class. This was several years before 9-11, otherwise we both would have probably been removed from the plane.
“But they paid extra to have doggie in business class and you did bring your asthma inhaler, right?” My health is not a priority?!!!!
Really? Bare toes? Stinky feet sure but if looking at bare toes offends you, don’t look. That’s a silly thing to call a “bad habit”.
Bare toes don’t really bother me unless they are hairy or nasty looking. It’s more the smelly feet
I would think it would be the feet being put up on the seat is the bad habit and not the toes. Every time the person moves it shakes your seat which is very irritating especially if you are trying to nap!
Feet belong on the floor, not on chairs, seats, tables, etc.
Hate when people sitting behind me put their bare feet up on the seat and you can see them just over your shoulder! Also think it is inconsiderate for people to put small bags in the overhead when you know they have room under their seat!
If the ONLY carry-on I have is one small bag, sure, I’ll put it in the overhead – it takes up less than my 1/6th share of the overhead – & I deliberately packed light so that I wouldn’t have stuff blocking my feet. Why should I have to block my feet because others bring on (possibly 2) large bags?
Or reclining at all. There’s no room between the seats and reclining pushes your setback into the face of the person behind you. Plus it makes using the tray almost impossible, especially to watch something on a laptop or iPad. Do what you mother told you: Sit up straight!
I agree that people shouldn’t be pretending their dogs are service animals but the airlines should not be charging over $100 each way for a dog that becomes your only carry on, has to be under the seat in front of you and normally is less irritating then most babies (yes I know for babies it is their ears and there isn’t much that can be done but almost every dog that I have ever seen on a flight never made a peep). Most airlines do not charge a fee to hold a baby on your lap and I’ve seen lots of parents who were allowed to extra carry-on bags because they had a baby or small children (plus normally they get to gate check a stroller or car seat at no charge). I know that dogs are not children but it is not right that the airlines put all of these restrictions on dog owners and then charge $100 or more each way for a dog that weighs less than a month old baby. Because of this I very rarely fly, I almost always do a road trip because it is so expensive and inconvenient to fly with my 8.5 pound dog.
Bravo! I could have written your comment!
Thanks for not flying much. Why are animals allowed in the cabin anyway. Recirculated air and having to smell your dog for 5 hours is crazy. At least children will finally quiet down. Dogs always smell to some extent. Remember the luggage compartment is pressurized the same as the passenger cabin. Would you bring a meowing cat or some other animal? Give me a kid any day!
Chris how about you fly in a crate in the luggage compartment and see if you still feel the same way. My dogs are crate trained and are fine in them at home but I would never put them in a crate in a strange place. It can be a really traumatizing experience for a dog to fly in the luggage compartment, remember that they are not just in there for the length of the flight but all the time from check in until they are unloaded. I have read of incidents where a dog has gotten loose from someone mishandling the crate and then running away because they are scared. I have been on flights where a kid has not settled down and was running up and down the aisle and scream. Also I have never had a dog kick the back of my seat for an entire flight. I would not bring a cat with me on a flight because I wouldn’t bring them on a trip with me, most cats would rather stay in their home than travel with their owners. The opposite is true of most dogs. I would take a small dog on a plane over any kid.
You have a problem with babies under 2 getting a free ride, take it up with the FAA. Their reasoning borders on stupidity – families would otherwise drive, and statistically, more likely to be in an accident – but somehow, that reasoning goes out the door at age 2.
More importantly, as an adult you are expected to put on your seat belt, but our most precious and innocent human beings can be held during an emergency, whether it be a landing, or more likely, unexpected turbulence. Buy your child a ticket and put them in a carseat, for their protection, and your comfort, and for everyone’s sanity.
My “service dog” stays under the seat and makes no noise. Yet there’s countless of children who are much worse. Until the standards change that unruly children can be put in the cargo hold in cages and I have the right to purchase a seat that would be used by my dog, point 10 will likely continue.
Until your dog can contribute to your Social Security and the economy as a whole for 40+ years when it grows up, I will continue to consider your dog as distinctly different than children.
In the quiet overnight solitude of the a 747 upper deck the man in front who felt the best way to protect his kids ears was to let him play a computer game on his iPad via the speakers. After enduring “Ping” “Whizz” “EEEEEEEEK” “Screeeeeetch” “Bong” a quite request to the cabin crew brought a semi indignant shrug and silence.
And the good news is that little Timmy will never know about his “Near Death Experience”!
I would tell the flight attendant